Technical University of Denmark researchers have found that the effectiveness of antibiotics against resistant bacteria can change depending on environmental conditions such as pH and temperature. Standard laboratory tests may not fully capture how resistance genes behave in real-world settings, meaning treatments could be more or less effective than expected.The study focused on two common resistance genes, CTX-M-15 and CMY-2, in E. coli. Results showed that CTX-M-15 was strongest in acidic conditions and weaker in alkaline environments, sometimes shifting from resistant to sensitive. CMY-2, in contrast, performed better in more alkaline conditions. Temperature also influenced resistance, with potential differences between hosts such as humans (37°C) and birds (42°C).Postdoc Mikkel Anbo and professor Frank Møller Aarestrup highlight that this research improves understanding of how resistance genes function across hosts and environments. It may eventually guide strategies for antibiotic treatment and surveillance of resistant bacteria in humans, animals, and the environment.
Source: Technical University of Denmark
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